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United States Patent | 5,032,292 |
Conrad | July 16, 1991 |
A method for preventing stagnation and biofilm formation in the jet pump circuit of a spa, therapy pool or bath employing separate pumps or plumbing circuits for circulation and for pressure jet/massaging functions. The method includes a bidirectional water conduit through which water flows in one direction when the circulation pump is on, and in the other direction when the jet pump is on. All plumbing in the jet pump circuit is thereby kept free of biofilm by causing water containing a dissolved disinfectant to flow through it while the circulation pump is on. The invention further includes methods for automatically flushing the massage jet air lines and the air bubbler chamber with disinfectant-containing water while the circulation pump is on. This method increases the reliability and safety of spa disinfection, reduces the quantity of disinfectant needed, and in some cases enables ozone to be used as the major or sole disinfectant.
Inventors: | Conrad; Richard H. (950 Idylberry Rd., San Rafael, CA 94903) |
Appl. No.: | 514159 |
Filed: | April 25, 1990 |
Current U.S. Class: | 210/764; 4/541.1; 210/136; 210/169; 210/760; 601/157 |
Intern'l Class: | C02F 001/50; C02F 001/78 |
Field of Search: | 210/760,169,758,136,205,764 4/541,542,543,544 128/65,66,369 |
3441015 | Apr., 1969 | Oatman et al. | 4/544. |
4563781 | Jan., 1986 | James | 4/544. |